President William Ruto chairs a cabinet meeting at State House. [PCS] Plans to phase out thermal power have received a major boost after the government approved the construction of Olkaria VII Geothermal Power, which will pump an extra 80.3 megawatts (MW) into the national grid. The multi-billion-shilling project is a collaboration between the governments of Kenya and Japan and the European Investment Bank, with a projected completion by 2027. The Cabinet has approved the project, which will be undertaken by state power producer KenGen. The plant is expected to tap into 19 geothermal production wells. “The Cabinet has approved the…
Author: By Antony Gitonga
German Vice Chancellor Dr Robert Habeck (C) tours Olkaria, Naivasha, with senior officials and investors on 2nd December 2024. [Antony Gitonga, Standard] The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has begun geothermal exploration in Tanzania. Over thirty workers, including senior engineers are Mbeya region to initiate this project. Tanzania now joins Zambia, Ethiopia, Eswatini, and Djibouti as countries benefiting from KenGen’s expertise. This initiative aligns with the commitments established in the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), aimed at helping countries reduce their carbon emissions, limit global temperature rise, and address climate-related disasters. In a company bulletin, it was reported that the workers…
KenGen starts geothermal exploration in Tanzania’s Mbeya region Published Date: 2025-08-01 00:00:00 Author: By Antony Gitonga Source: The Standard
European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-president Thomas Ostros (C) joins senior Kengen staff during a tour of geothermal rich area of Olkaria in Naivasha. The bank promised to support the country in its plans to increase green energy and phase out thermal power. [Antony Gitonga/Standard] Kenya’s daily electricity demand hit a record high of 2,362.28 MW on July 23, driven by industrial expansion, increased urbanisation, and rising domestic energy use. According to the latest data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra), this was an increase from 2,325MW recorded on July 2 this year. KenGen geothermal and hydropower delivered the…
Published Date: 2025-07-26 14:59:19 Author: By Antony Gitonga Source: The Standard
(L-R) Gilgil MP Martha Wangari, Nyeri Women Rep Rahab Mukami and her Baringo counterpart Florence Jematiah during a public hearing session in Gilgil town on the 2024-25 proposed financial budget. [Antony Gitonga, Standard] Heads of secondary schools in Nakuru County have warned of a looming crisis in the education sector come January when students transition from junior to senior secondary schools (Grade 10). According to the principals, little has been done to accommodate the thousands of students joining public secondary schools. The situation has been worsened by the government’s failure to remit the second term’s capitation, a move that has…
Naivasha MP Jane Kihara arrested for failing to report to DCI headquarters in Nairobi to record a statement regarding claims of incitement. [Antony Gitonga, Standard] Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has been arrested by DCI officers after she declined to honour summons over alleged offences of incitement and undermining the authority of a public officer. The MP, a key ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, was whisked from her home in Maraigushu, Naivasha, to Naivasha Police Station before being transferred to Nairobi. Drama unfolded at her home after more than 20 DCI officers, backed by anti-riot police, moved in as…
A team that was conducting anti-HIV strategies review exercise in Homa Bay Town. (James Omoro, Standard). New cases of HIV-Aids infections in the country are on the rise, mainly among the youths, with efforts to reduce the numbers in the last four years failing mainly due to financial and behavioral changes. According to the latest data from the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), the government had planned to reduce HIV AIDS-related infections by 75 percent in the last four years. The country, however, achieved a 60 percent reduction in new infections, mainly in ASAL counties, on the rise, with Mandera County recording a 156 percent increase. This came as it emerged that the country…
Engineers from KenGen work on one of the geothermal wells in Olkaria Naivasha. Kengen will pump an extra 86mw into the national grid in the next two months. [Antony Gitonga, Standard] The country’s push for green energy has received a major boost with KenGen announcing plans to tap in an extra 63 megawatts of electricity into the national grid by June next year. According to the power generation company, rehabilitation of the Olkaria I power plant was at 70 percent complete. For the last two years, the power plant which is the oldest in the geothermal rich area has been…
The epicenter of the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy which left over 60 people dead. [Photo, Antony Gitonga] One year after the Mai Mahiu Dam tragedy that left more than 60 dead, cases of mental health issues, mainly depression, among the victims have risen as the full reality of the event has started to sink in. The situation has been worsened by the failure of the government to resettle the tens of families, rising poverty, and diseases. This came as Kijabe Mission Hospital and PISGHA Academy held a free medical camp in Mai Mahiu targeting victims of the tragedy that was…
The CEO Kenya Institute of Supplies Management Kenneth Matiba flanked by board members addresses the press in Naivasha on June 2, 2025. [Antony Gitonga, Standard] Over 40 per cent of supply chain practitioners in the country are either incompetent, operating illegally, or unqualified. According to the latest data from the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), counties are the most affected, with a majority of staff in the procurement departments deemed unfit for their positions. Get Trusted News for Only Ksh99 a Week Subscribe Today & Save! Get Started Unlimited access to all premium content Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience Mobile-optimized…
Visiting German Vice Chancellor Dr Robert Habeck (C) joins senior government officers and a high powered delegation of investors in a tour of the geothermal rich area of Olkaria, Naivasha on 2nd December 2024. He said that Germany would support the country in its expertise in production of geothermal and solar energy. [Photo, Antony Gitonga] Kenya’s electricity imports from neighbouring countries have continued to rise despite the availability of geothermal energy, which is considered cheap and readily available. According to the 20204-25 report from Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra), the imports rose by over 79 per cent in the…
KUSNET General Secretary James Torome says delayed capitation and Education Ministry budget cuts spell doom for the sector. [File, Standard] Over 2,000 special schools across the country face closure in the next two weeks due to delayed capitation that has also affected learning in primary and secondary schools across the country. The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) and the Special Schools Association of Kenya (SHAC) said the move by the government to slash education funds spells doom for the sector and could erode gains made. KUSNET General Secretary James Torome said that the delay had caused anxiety…
Members of the Maasai community hold a peaceful demonstration on 12/5/25 in support of an incoming 58mw geothermal plant in Olkaria, Naivasha. [Photo/Antony Gitonga] Members of the Maasai community in geothermal-rich areas of Olkaria and Narasha in Naivasha have called for equal job and business opportunities. The community claimed they would continue supporting government projects on condition they are equally recognised. The move comes days after a section of residents accused leaders from nearby Narok County of interfering with an upcoming 58mw geothermal project. A community leader Duncan Sencho, said for years a small group of people had benefited from…
Religious leaders visit farms in Mai Mahiu where over 60 people wee killed by flash floods and property worth millions damaged in April last year. One year down the line, the families have not been resettled after the farms are inaccessible due to the huge boulders.[ Antony Gitonga/Standard] Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has attributed the rising land prices, driven by traders, to the delayed resettlement of the flood victims from Mai Mahiu. While assuring that the government is committed to resettling the victims, Kindiki urged patience as the families mark one year since the tragic incident in April last year,…
Members of the public at a scene where a wall collapsed in Naivasha injuring one person and damaging a Nissan matatu. September 8, 2021. [Antony Gitonga, Standard] The National Construction Authority (NCA) has stepped in to restore order in the construction sector by introducing the country’s second Building Code. Under the National Building Code 2024, all contractors and skilled workers will be accredited as one way of addressing safety in the wake of several buildings collapsing. The Code will also introduce new standards where buildings should be able to withstand earthquakes, flooding and strong winds while making sure that they…
Naivasha MP Jane Kihara joins students from Governors Secondary School in Longonot on 25/2/25 in commissioning a multi-million dormitory for over 100 students. [Photo/Antony Gitonga] Naivasha MP Jane Kihara has attributed the incident where President William Ruto was hit by a shoe to unplanned campaign meetings and inadequate security during these impromptu events. Kihara condemned the incident, which took place in Kuri, stating that those responsible should be arrested to prevent it from setting a bad precedent. On Sunday, while on a development tour, President Ruto was struck on the hand by a shoe, causing anxiety among the crowd as…
Victims of the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy which killed over 60 people next to their homes which were damaged by the flash floods. The government has set aside Sh250m towards their resettlement. [Photo/Antony Gitonga] One year after the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy, which left over 60 people dead and displaced dozens more, families affected by the disaster have yet to return to their farms. Once admired for their fertility and scenic views, the farms have now become barren stretches of land scattered with boulders and deep trenches, following the loss of fertile topsoil washed away by the floods. The current…
The CS for Energy David Chirchir at one of the geothermal wells in Pakka Hills in Baringo County where Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is undertaking various electricity projects. The company is projecting an extra 100mw from the region by 2026. [Photo,Antony Gitonga] As parts of the country including hydro-power stations continue to record harsh weather conditions leading to a drop in water levels, geothermal power has once again come to the rescue. According to the Daily System Operation and Dispatch Analysis Report, last week, geothermal power plants contributed the highest in the generation mix. Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulation Authority (EPRA) indicate that geothermal energy accounted for 23…
The CS for Energy David Chirchir at one of the geothermal wells in Pakka Hills in Baringo County where Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is undertaking various electricity projects. The company is projecting an extra 100mw from the region by 2026. [Photo,Antony Gitonga] As parts of the country including hydro-power stations continue to record harsh weather conditions leading to a drop in water levels, geothermal power has once again come to the rescue. According to the Daily System Operation and Dispatch Analysis Report, last week, geothermal power plants contributed the highest in the generation mix. Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulation Authority (EPRA) indicate that geothermal energy accounted for 23…
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the Director General National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji at the end of the two day Mashariki Cooperation Conference that drew heads of security from over 40 African countries in Enashipai Spa in Naivasha on 4/4/25. [Antony Gitonga/Standard] The government has denied that it intends to muzzle freedom of expression following the recent outcry on social media. Through the National Intelligence Service (NIS), it noted that freedom of speech was guaranteed in the constitution through disinformation as a threat to national security. The agency Director General Noordin Haji said the proliferation of information and disinformation…